[LoveLetterLoser]

Hi everyone. Happy holidays and happy new year.

I've only tried to lose weight once in my nearly 32 years of life. I followed Weight Watchers in 2003 and lost 90lbs. I gained that back and returned to WW only to have the plan change within the same month.

I have no objections to that plan but my robot brain is having a very hard time adjusting. I'm wondering if I would do better to follow another lifestyle type plan since I'm learning all new information anyway.

I want to start something today. I know myself and if I don't, I won't start for at least a few more weeks. I'm that kind of fat girl... the "one more great meal" gal. I have a stomach virus now, so, that last meal isn't an issue.

This is a lifetime thing for me so not really looking for any quick fix. However, losing weight consistently is something I need... especially since I plan to travel within 5 months and need to fit comfortably in a plane's seat.

Thanks for any advisement you may have as to alternatives to WEight Watchers. I really don't know what's out there as I've never looked before tonight.

[mandalinn82]

Hey there, and

Have you ever considered calorie counting? It's consistent...just count the calories you eat, try to stay within a target number (at your height and weight, I would probably start out in the 1800-2000 cals/day range). You can eat what you want so long as you calculate the calories in it, and calories are widely available (on food packages, or online databases like Fitday or Sparkpeople...Googling "calories in <food>" will usually get you what you need.

The nice thing is that, if you're counting calories, a lot of other things come into play semi-automatically. You will learn portion control by figuring out your portions and the calories in them. You'll most likely learn to replace high-calorie, junky foods with lower-calorie, nutritious foods, if only because you'll be hungry when you eat the high-cal ones since you can't eat as much in your calorie allowance.

So calorie counting is pretty simple - you start with a calorie range (again, 1800-2000 might be a good place to start), count, wait a few weeks, and evaluate. Losing weight? Great, stay at the calorie level you are at. Losing really fast and/or hungry all the time? Bump up the calorie level. Not losing? Go a bit lower or add some more exercise. Eventually you find the level that works well for you, and then it becomes pretty automatic. We have a great calorie counters forum here that you might want to check out.

We also have support for a ton of other plans...South Beach, other low-carb programs, and most of the other major ones all have a presence. You might also want to look around in those forums to see if something appeals to you.

Whatever you choose, just jump in, get started, and post! I can't wait to get to know you better!

[beerab]

Calorie counting is great, south beach diet is also fantastic, I did it, I loved it (currently switching up to medifast), but when I get to goal I plan on maintaining a south beach lifestyle. I used to consume TONS of bread and potatoes and carbs a day, on south beach diet I no longer crave bread or pasta or even potatoes! I can watch hubby eat a baked potato and go "oh that looks good" and continue with my meal- I love that feeling of not feeling controlled by food anymore.

I'd research plans and figure out what you can do for life. I have insulin resistance so too many carbs is out for me- hence why I chose SBD vs. calorie counting

Good luck!

[lifeasme]

I like calorie counting (which I think is pretty similar to weight watchers, they just put a different name on it and charge you money for it). I like it becuase I don't feel like I have to cook special meals for my family, I can eat whatever I cook for everyone and I don't have to worry about being on X phase of whatever diet and I can't have this or that food....if that makes sense. I can't have "off limits" foods, it just makes me want it more. With calorie counting, I can have whatever the item is that I am craving as long as I keep to my calorie level. It also helps me make choices and sometimes I decide that it's really not worth it after all.

I think that if you had good luck with WW in the past, it would probably work for you now, and calorie counting would also be a good fit for you.

[LoveLetterLoser]

Thank you guys so much for your input! It's appreciated.

[CourtneyDaisey]

Hi and welcome! A lot of folks (as you can see from above) have found success in calorie counting. I personally have decided to go vegan as my plan. I would suggest reading through the plans on the forum and seeing how each one works and then decide which ones you want to try.

[DhaniCauldwell]

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani

[ParadiseFalls]

Hi, Loveletter!

May I suggest Medifast? I'm the type of person who can't handle too much choice — I'm bad at making good decisions — so Medifast seemed like a good plan for me. I tried calorie counting for about 8 months and lost 20 pounds but couldn't seem to stick with it.

I just started Medifast on Friday, and I'm down almost 11 pounds so far. I know you don't lose that much the whole time, obviously, but everyone I've heard of who stays on plan seems to have lost 2-4 pounds per week. For me, being this big, I need to see results or I give up, so that's great.

This wouldn't fit your "starting today" criterion, but you could probably follow the calorie and nutrition part of it until your food comes. My food came about 8 days from when I ordered it, but they also have a rush option.

Whatever you decide, good luck and welcome to 3FC!